About Isla Gorge

Park features

Isla Gorge National Park is a complex maze of gorges and isolated sandstone monoliths. Soft precipice sandstone has eroded into a breathtaking panorama of cliffs, peaks, overhangs, tunnels and arches. The rock changes from yellow to orange and pink with the angle of the sun.

Outstanding scenery and rich plant life were the main reasons for gazetting this area as national park in 1964. Brilliant displays of flowering wattles appear from mid-winter and boronias, red grevilleas and grasstrees blossom in August and September.

At the picnic shelter, look north out over large areas of botanically-rich semi-evergreen vine thicket, to the distant rugged rock formations locally known as 'Devils Nest'. Eucalyptus beaniana—an ironbark tree found near the carpark—is one of the 10 rare and threatened plants growing in the park.

Isla Gorge National Park was extended in 1990 to include the remains of a hand-paved road at the north-western tip of the park near Flagstaff Hill. This historically significant road was constructed in the early 1860s by hand, using large rock slabs. It was built less than 15 years after white settlement of the area and was used to carry wool from Roma to the port of Rockhampton. Drains on the side carried stormwater downslope and, even to this day, have prevented erosion.

Many kinds of birds live in the park. Look for spiny-cheeked, brown, white-eared and blue-faced honeyeaters when the eucalypts, wattles, grevilleas and boronias are in flower from mid-winter to summer. Wedge-tailed eagles soar high above the gorges and peregrine falcons leave secluded roosts on cliff faces to hunt.

Read more about the Nature, culture and history of Isla Gorge National Park.

Looking after the park

Parks and forests protect wonderful natural diversity and scenery. Help keep these places special by following these guidelines.

• Fires are only permitted in the wood barbecues provided. Bring your own clean-milled firewood. Firewood must not be collected from within the national park.
• Leave domestic animals at home. Pets disturb native wildlife and other campers.
• Leave all plants and animals undisturbed.
• Use toilets if available. Away from toilets, ensure all fecal matter and toilet paper are properly buried (15cm deep) well away from tracks, campsites, watercourses and drainage lines (at least 150m away). Take disposable nappies and sanitary products out of the park and dispose of them appropriately.
• When washing cooking equipment, always wash at least 100m from streams and lakes. Waterways should be kept free of all pollutants including soap, detergents, sunscreens and food scraps.
• Rubbish bins are not provided. Do not bury rubbish—take it with you when you leave. This includes cigarette butts, which do not decompose.
• Do not bring firearms or other weapons into the park.

See the guidelines on Caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment.

Park management

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service manage Isla Gorge National Park under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Tourism information links

Taroom Information Centre
10 Yaldwyn Street, Taroom Qld 4420
ph (07) 4638 6113
email tourism@banana.qld.gov.auwww.sandstonewonders.com

Banana Shire
62 Valentine Plains Road, Biloela Qld 4715
ph (07) 4992 9500
email tourism@banana.qld.gov.au
www.sandstonewonders.com

Maranoa Regional Council
www.maranoa.qld.gov.au
email tourism@maranoa.qld.gov.au

Injune Information Centre
32 Hutton Street, Injune Qld 4415
ph (07) 4626 0503
email tourism@maranoa.qld.gov.au

Miles Museum and Visitor Information Centre
141 Murilla Street, Miles Qld 4415
ph (07) 4627 1492
email enquires@mhv.org.au

Theodore Information Centre
55A The Boulevard,  Theodore Qld 4719
ph (07) 4993 1900

Rural Hinterland Information & Visitor Centre
11 Exhibition Avenue, Biloela Qld 4715
ph (07) 4992 2400
email rhvic@bigpond.com

Biloela Visitor Information Centre
Callide Street, Biloela Qld 4715
ph (07) 4992 2405
email biloelainfocentre@bigpond.com

For information on road conditions contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads or phone 13 19 40.

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.